February 9, 2018StaffComments Off on Rolls-Royce Appointments Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi as Director of Engineering

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced the appointment of Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi as Director of Engineering from March 1, 2018. Ayoubi joins Rolls-Royce from the BMW Group with over 20 years’ experience in a broad range of engineering positions. He is currently Head of Concepts, Architectures and Integration and has previously headed departments in acoustics and vibration, dynamics development, chassis control systems, drivetrain development, all-wheel drive and driver assistance systems. He is also very familiar with Rolls-Royce, having been involved with the engineering concept for New Phantom.

Aston Martin EVP and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman has been appointed to the prestigious DESIGNBEST Hall of Fame. Voted by automotive journalists from over 30 European countries, Reichman has been described as one of the best car designers in the world, designing some of the most iconic Aston Martin models including the DB10, built exclusively for James Bond, the DB11, the latest in the illustrious DB bloodline and the new Vantage.

It is with great sadness that we must report the passing of another great member of our hobby, Ken Smith. Ken was a founding member of the North American MGB Register (NAMGBR) and served as the first editor for the MGB Driver Magazine. Later he also served as editor for Classic MG Magazine. Ken was one of the most recognized people in the Little British Car (LBC) world. Along with his wife, Barby, Ken shared his passion for the MG Marque throughout the world for most of his 80+ years on earth. Ken worked at Moss Motors for 25 years and, with Barby at his side, traveled across the country for many years supporting British car events and representing Moss.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Chief Design Officer, was last night named Designer of the Year at the Festival Automobile International. The Grand Prix du Design prize recognizes McGovern’s Land Rover designs and their influence across the car industry.

The following individuals have been selected for the 2018 class of honorees for the British Sports Car Hall of Fame. This will be the second year for these ceremonies. Joe Alexander – The owner of Alexander Racing Enterprises and a founding member of the Friends of Triumph. Chuck Anderson – One of the founding members of the Austin-Healey Club of America and a leading proponent of the marque in the United States.

Racing legend Sir Stirling Moss has made the decision to retire from the public eye at age 88 even as he continues to recover from a 2016 respiratory infection. In an announcement posted to Sir Stirling’s official website, his son, Elliott, writes: To all of his many friends and fans around the world who use this website for regular updates, my father would like to announce that he will be closing it down. Following his severe infections at the end of 2016 and his subsequent slow and arduous recovery, the decision has been made that, at the age of 88, the indefatigable man will finally retire, so that he and my mother can have some much deserved rest and spend more time with each other and the rest of the family. The entire and extended Moss clan thank everyone for […]

Morgan Motor Company, the world’s longest-running family owned motor manufacturer, are delighted to announce the appointment of Colin Boden as Group Financial Director with immediate effect. As Group Financial Director, Colin will not only be responsible for the financial functions of the Morgan Group, his role will establish him as a key influence in strategic decisions as Morgan continues to excel through its second century in business. His key aims will be to further improve profitability for the company, ensuring Morgan has a stable financial platform to develop exciting vehicles, embark on ambitious new projects across all business areas as well as introduce industry-leading technology into the model range and production process.

Christmas has come early for Aston Martin Racing, as the team received a special delivery in the form of Belgian GT and DTM ace, Maxime Martin. The 31-year-old has joined Aston Martin Racing to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship ‘super season’, which starts in Spring 2018. Paul Howarth, Aston Martin Racing Team Principal said: We’ve had an eye on Maxime for several years now, so we are delighted to welcome him to Aston Martin Racing. He is an exceptionally talented GT driver and he is the perfect addition to our high-calibre driver line-up.

World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua visited the NSPCC center Boole House in Coventry, to surprise a group of children with a unique Christmas lights switch-on. Jaguar and Joshua are teaming up to promote the NSPCC’s ‘Light up Christmas for Children’ campaign by encouraging the public to share their #LightsOn selfie and make a donation to the charity. Anthony Joshua’s festively-wrapped prototype Jaguar I-PACE was packed with gifts for the children at Boole House, where he arrived to pose for a #LightsOn selfie to promote the NSPCC’s campaign, and was quizzed by the children about his boxing career. He also toured Boole House to learn about the projects the NSPCC runs for children in the city.

McLaren Automotive, the creator of luxury sports cars and supercars, has awarded an international internship to a budding engineering student from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Following in the footsteps of Bruce McLaren, McLaren’s New Zealand born founder, Thomas Evans has been chosen to be the second recipient of the internship. Thomas is in his penultimate year of a Bachelor of Engineering degree at the Faculty of Engineering where he is studying Engineering Science. He will spend around nine weeks at the iconic McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England where he will work alongside the company’s research and development engineers as well as gaining an understanding of other key areas of the business.

Bette Hill occupied a unique position in Formula One history, as wife and mother of two world champion drivers. Her husband Graham won the title in 1962 for BRM and again for Lotus in 1968. Her son Damon Hill did so for Williams in 1996. Bette Hill, born Bette Shubrook on June 12, 1926, passed away this December 8, 2017. One of four girls born to a cricketer who also worked for The Times, and a mother who was ambitious for her children in the proper way, Bette and her sisters were achievers, and she understood the competitive imperative. One played piano, another was a champion schools swimmer, the third was also sporting, and Bette herself rowed for Britain in 1952 and 1954 and finished third in the European Championship quadruple sculls at Compiègne in 1954. Bette and Graham were married for 20 years […]

One of only nine bespoke Rolls-Royce Wraith models, produced by Rolls-Royce to celebrate the global success of British popular music and one dedicated to the “fifth Beatle” the late Sir George Martin, has been acquired by the owner of Studio434, Rodger Dudding and has now joined Rodger’s extensive collection of cars at his facility in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The Sir George Martin’s signature Wraith has a number of important detailing elements including a celebration of Sir George’s 30 number-one hit singles with embroidery of each song title in the rear “waterfall” and the producer’s signature stitched into the headrests.

Jaguar Land Rover’s top technicians from around the world gathered at the company’s Learning Academy last week putting their skills to the test in the annual Global Technician of The Year event, and Jan Olivier landed on top. The best of the best from retailers in 27 countries were put through a grueling three-day challenge to see who could demonstrate the best technical knowledge, skill and customer service.

British Car Day 2017 in Charleston, SC, was held at Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park. Nearly 100 cars were in attendance, and a great time was had by all. The club was founded in 1983 and this was the 33rd annual British Car Day, and it won’t be the last. Thanks to Dave Rosato of the British Car Club for this aerial footage.

Record-breaking National Football League star, Tom Brady, has collaborated with Aston Martin’s Q by Aston Martin bespoke service to produce the Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante ‘Tom Brady Signature Edition’. This stunning version of the Vanquish S is strictly limited to just 12 examples. Tom Brady said: It was an easy decision to go with the Vanquish S for the special edition – it is an incredible car to drive and is truly a work of art. Going through the process of curating a unique Aston Martin has been fascinating. We started with a blank canvas and finished with this beautiful car. It’s been great to see it all come to fruition and I’m proud to share a name with it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

The Rolls-Royce New Phantom made its debut in the nation’s capital yesterday at an event hosted by Sir Kim Darroch, the British Ambassador to the United States at his official residence in Washington D.C. New Phantom is the pinnacle offering from Rolls-Royce, the world’s leading luxury brand. As the longest existing nameplate in motoring history, Phantom has defined British luxury craftsmanship for more than 92 years. Every modern Rolls-Royce is handcrafted exclusively at The Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England.

The prestigious Jaguar / Guild Of Motoring Writers (GOMW) Sir William Lyons Award is now open for entries, offering aspiring motoring journalists aged 17-23 their first step on the career ladder to becoming a professional writer. After celebrating 50 years of the award in 2016, the 2017 prize will once again be presented at the Royal Automobile Club during the Guild Annual Dinner and Awards. It gives the winner their first chance to network with potential employers and PR colleagues.

Bentley Motors today announces the appointment of Adrian Hallmark as its new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, starting on 1st February 2018. Hallmark’s appointment marks one of four senior leadership changes at Bentley Motors with new Board Members for Engineering; Sales and Marketing; and People, Digitalisation and IT. Hallmark, 55, joins Bentley from Jaguar Land Rover, where he held the role of Global Strategy Director. He brings more than 18 years of automotive board level experience from the US, Europe and Asia with Porsche, Volkswagen, SAAB and Bentley Motors. During his time at Bentley, he held the role of Board Member for Sales, Marketing and PR and played an integral role in the introduction of the sector-defining Continental GT in 2003.

October 18, 2017StaffComments Off on Rule Britannia – When British Sports Cars Saved A Nation by John Nikas

Traditional car books tend to be sleep inducing for those uninterested in the automobile. How refreshing then that John Nikas’s new tome underpins the absorbing histories of Britain’s most famous sports car manufacturers by chronicling their invaluable role in reviving the country’s decimated post-war economy. Rule Britannia conveys in fascinating detail how the national resolve created vehicles that not only earned desperately-needed foreign currency but established a humble but exciting category of motorcar that continues to captivate the imagination of enthusiasts the world over. Exhaustively researched and written in an easy-flowing but authoritative style, Rule Britannia is also lavishly illustrated with a delightful mix of carefully-selected period images and stunning studio photography contributed by master lensman Michael Furman. This then is a book as alluring for anybody interested in Britain’s post-war social history, as those inspired by the indelible mark made on the world […]